WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J.- Monmouth football players Kendall Haley (Olney, Md./Good Counsel) and Bobby Giles (Burlington, N.J./Burlington Twp.) have been named Northeast Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Week and Special Teams Player of the Week, league officials announced on Tuesday.
The award is Haley's first of his career, while Giles earns his first league special teams POW nod. The awards were the first handed out to Monmouth players in the 2009 season.
Haley, a junior safety, saved one touchdown before scoring one of his own during Monmouth's triumphant Northeast Conference opener against Duquesne. The junior defensive back forced a fumble and later returned an interception 65 yards for the decisive touchdown in the Hawks' 17-10 victory. Haley made his first key play with Duquesne bidding to break a 10-10 tie in the third quarter. With Duquesne receiver Dave Williams seemingly destined for the end zone after making a 31-yard catch at Monmouth's 16-yard line, Haley was able to strip the ball loose on a desperation dive. Later in the quarter, Haley intercepted an errant pass at the Hawks' 35 and broke a number of tackles on a 65-yard run for paydirt. He also totaled six tackles in the win.
Giles' special teams play led to the game-tying field goal in the third quarter of Monmouth's 17-10 conference victory over Duquesne. After the Hawks' opening possession of the second half yielded only three yards, Giles provided a spark on the ensuing punt. The senior running back forced the Duquesne punt returner to fumble at the 20-yard line and was able to pounce on the loose ball at the Dukes' 17. In addition to the forced fumble and subsequent recovery, Giles returned two punts for 18 yards and one kickoff for 23 yards.
"Kendall made some big plays on Saturday," said head coach Kevin Callahan. "His effort on the interception return was simply outstanding, it was a great play and it won the game for us. Bobby In addition to being a talent running back, also excels on all of our special teams. He is a very hard worker who makes a lot of plays for us when he's on the field. Revoering fube on the punt led to our game-tying field goal and created positive momentum for our team."
The Hawks, now 1-2 on the season, will travel to Old Dominion on Saturday to face the Monarchs at 6 p.m.
